Prime Minister Allen Chastanet in his New Year’s address on Sunday January 12 spoke of the future of Radio Saint Lucia, once known as “the nation’s station”. In his 2017 Budget Address the prime minister had revealed that RSL’s closure was inevitable. The station had “lost its way”. He had reminded the nation that the company’s accumulated losses totalled $3,362,725. A loss of $515,497 was recorded in 2015; $543,000 was owed to the National Insurance Corporation and $231,000 in unpaid taxes. He had noted that when RSL was established, radio was the most widely used tool for mass media. There was possibly one other station to compete with.
“The current climate is far different,” Chastanet had said. “The internet, television, cell phones have taken over in terms of communication. The airwaves are saturated with radio stations, and multiple avenues exist for government to get its messages to the nation. We must, therefore, revisit the question of the role of RSL in our current climate.”
While expressing delight in his New Year’s address over the appointment of Dr. Keith Nurse as the new principal of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Chastanet said his government was looking forward to diversifying SALCC’s programmes, “which will include converting Radio Saint Lucia into a recording studio to enhance Saint Lucia’s expertise in the field of broadcasting and music production”.
Recording artist A.G. Simpson strongly supports the plan but is cautioning the government to tread carefully. He would like this to be an avenue for troubled youth to express themselves, which could ultimately lessen the crime rate. “I believe that they should concentrate on underprivileged youth, he said. “That’s where the hits come from. Most American artists who’ve made it had a lot of difficulties in life. When these people sing or write music, they do it from the heart. You can actually feel what they went through.”
Simpson’s next concern was with the possibility of political interference. While the studio would be welcomed, he said it is not always a good idea for government to be involved in such enterprises. The musician is concerned about what would happen if someone wanted to record a song critical of the government. Would the opportunity to record be denied the performer? Would the song be released?
“If the government is going to invest in a recording studio,” he went on, “the yutes must be afforded the freedom to express themselves, whether to say a government is good or bad. Having a recording studio is a very good idea, long overdue. The governments have not demonstrated much respect for artistes. Let’s hope the recording studio will mark a change.”
Lead vocalist for Identity, Deighton Charlemagne, also welcomed “any move that can give musicians a chance to practise their craft”. Echoing Simpson, he lamented the lack of governmental assistance. “I’m for anything to do with helping musicians get a chance. Musicians will always need the help. So any aid we get when it comes to recording, that’s very crucial. That will give us a very good chance to be successful in our field.”
